The multi-award winning, rescue documentary Lion Ark will be screening at Full Frame Theater, Durham on Saturday February 18th – the North Carolina premiere of the film.

The Durham screening will be followed by Q&A with the rescue team leaders and the director and producer of Lion Ark Tim Phillips and Jan Creamer. Just 48 hours earlier Tim and Jan will have been completing the rescue of spectacled bear, called Dominga, from a zoo high in the Andes and taking her to an ADI sanctuary in the Peruvian forest. The rescue will involve moving the, almost completely bald bear, for two days through the mountains and then along by boat along the Madre de Dios River to her new home.

ADI specialises in complex rescue operations, like the rescue and relocation of the 25 lions in Lion Ark and 33 lions from circuses in Peru and Colombia flown home to Africa last year. Tim and Jan will fly from Peru on Friday.

Tim Phillips, Lion Ark Director: “We may look a little exhausted as we will have been sleeping cars for Dominga the bear’s move to her new home, but that’s how we often look in Lion Ark! As a treat for the Durham audience, they will get to see Lion Ark and be the first to see images of this latest rescue. It’s also a reminder that the work featured in Lion Ark is on-going.”

Tim Phillips notes that although eye-opening the film is fun and uplifting: “We wanted people to experience a frontline animal rescue, both the challenges and the joy. The film tackles a serious issue, but is exciting and leaves people with a smile on their face, knowing they can make a difference as they see the lives of these animals transform.”

During the Q&A, the filmmakers will also talk about the latest rescue –Operation Spirit of Freedom – where over 100 wild animals were recently saved from circuses and the illegal wildlife trade in Peru and Colombia. This culminated in a massive airlift of more than 30 lions, from South American circuses, home to Africa. Money raised at the screening will go towards ADI’s huge $250,000 habitat construction program for the lions’ forever homes.